This game will make Madden better... GUARANTEED

[sleepytercel]

Quote: Originally Posted by Seymour Scagnetti

It was the NFL that wanted this exclusive licensing and just offered it to the highest bidder. You can't blame EA for ponying up the dough as Madden is thier gaming jewel. They never promised to make a better simulation, they are just catering to their customer base who want glitz over substance. Blame the NFL in monopolizing the football gaming market and taking away choice. Madden didn't change thier strategy before competing against 2K sports and it won't happen here as long as the sales remain strong. One good football game is enough for me so what EA does is inconsequential.

Oh, the gullible mind. Considering that the news leaked out about EA and the NFL deal before 2K5 was even released tells you that EA was in it from the beginning. It's amazing that people "buy" into this bidding deal. Yeah, because if it was so innocent, EA wouldn't have scrapped up the NCAA and AFL licenses as well.

[mjb2124]

Quote: Originally Posted by sleepytercel

Oh, the gullible mind. Considering that the news leaked out about EA and the NFL deal before 2K5 was even released tells you that EA was in it from the beginning. It's amazing that people "buy" into this bidding deal. Yeah, because if it was so innocent, EA wouldn't have scrapped up the NCAA and AFL licenses as well.

Since none of us really know for sure, all of this seems like a lot of speculation between the fanboys who claim that competition is good until it's their side who is losing. That's something that really is becoming bothersome IMO.

Think about this for a minute. Suppose EA approached the NFL about a deal. What stopped the NFL for contacting other outfits to see if the EA deal was the best? What stopped the NFL from saying "No, this isn't the direction we want to go in"?.

Some of you need to remember that there are 2 sides to every equation. BOTH EA and the NFL are to blame for the exclusive deal just as 2K and MLB are to blame for the 3rd party baseball deal.

[sleepytercel]

Quote: Originally Posted by mjb2124

Since none of us really know for sure, all of this seems like a lot of speculation between the fanboys who claim that competition is good until it's their side who is losing. That's something that really is becoming bothersome IMO. Think about this for a minute. Suppose EA approached the NFL about a deal. What stopped the NFL for contacting other outfits to see if the EA deal was the best? What stopped the NFL from saying "No, this isn't the direction we want to go in"?. Some of you need to remember that there are 2 sides to every equation. BOTH EA and the NFL are to blame for the exclusive deal just as 2K and MLB are to blame for the 3rd party baseball deal.

I agree. However, what raises an eyebrow on the situation was how Gamespot found the article from Business Journal and reported the "agreement" 2 months before 2K5 was released. K Bomber from the 2K boards actually contacted the NFLPA on the situation and both EA and the NFLPA lied stating that normal licensing agreements were going through. This article was released in May 2004, which was 7 months before the actual announcement from EA. That is a fact that EA was persuing this agreement long before the final agreement was announced. While I don't condone Take Two's retaliation by taking the MLB, they did steal the market from only EA, and not that of everyone else. I mean, even Microsoft could bring the High Heat series back if they wanted to. No one can touch football. Also, to take other football leagues at that same approximate time tells us alone that it was more than an honest "bidding war".

[kennyacid]

Quote: Originally Posted by mjb2124

Since none of us really know for sure, all of this seems like a lot of speculation between the fanboys who claim that competition is good until it's their side who is losing. That's something that really is becoming bothersome IMO. Think about this for a minute. Suppose EA approached the NFL about a deal. What stopped the NFL for contacting other outfits to see if the EA deal was the best? What stopped the NFL from saying "No, this isn't the direction we want to go in"?. Some of you need to remember that there are 2 sides to every equation. BOTH EA and the NFL are to blame for the exclusive deal just as 2K and MLB are to blame for the 3rd party baseball deal.

Acually EA is to blame for the 2K and MLB 3rd party baseball deal.
1.EA got scared of the compo so they went to strike a deal wit the NFL, and since EA has so much money they was able to offer alot for the rights.
2.The NFL saw the big dollar sign and EA's rap sheet,and with out lookin at all angles took the money.
3.2k football fans get the shaft.
4.2k desides to get even and desides to get a 3rd party deal with the MLB.

So basiclly if EA wasnt so scared and acually put their best foot forward with Madden then we wouldnt even be talkin about this now, and we wouldnt be prayin for a generic football game from 2k. Instead we would be playing NFL 2k7 right now and gettin ready for MVP 08. Because if EA had never got the deal, then 2k would have never got the deal, that mean the MLB wouldnt have got on 2ks back and that dude from EA wouldnt be workin for 2k now, and MLB 2k8 would be wack like 2k7 :-) lol

[mjb2124]

Quote: Originally Posted by sleepytercel

I agree. However, what raises an eyebrow on the situation was how Gamespot found the article from Business Journal and reported the "agreement" 2 months before 2K5 was released. K Bomber from the 2K boards actually contacted the NFLPA on the situation and both EA and the NFLPA lied stating that normal licensing agreements were going through. This article was released in May 2004, which was 7 months before the actual announcement from EA. That is a fact that EA was persuing this agreement long before the final agreement was announced. While I don't condone Take Two's retaliation by taking the MLB, they did steal the market from only EA, and not that of everyone else. I mean, even Microsoft could bring the High Heat series back if they wanted to. No one can touch football. Also, to take other football leagues at that same approximate time tells us alone that it was more than an honest "bidding war".

There are so many rumors running around that it's tough to judge. Even this many years later, we still don't seem to have a solid answer to how this all went down. I'd love to hear the "behind closed door" story, but it doesn't seem as if that will ever happen.

Good ole K Bomber. I'm not sure he's the best one to believe. Just another guy like the rest of us as opposed to an insider.

I still don't believe the MLB was any better despite it being a 3rd party license......especially after what 2K released last year (although this year it looks much improved assuming the gameplay is better).

[mjb2124]

Quote: Originally Posted by kennyacid

Acually EA is to blame for the 2K and MLB 3rd party baseball deal.

I wouldn't go that far. I know the "EA is the Devil" is the cool thing nowadays, but let's not get carried away.

EA does deserve blame, but so does 2K for the MLB deal. As they say, 2 wrongs don't make a right.

[kennyacid]

Quote: Originally Posted by mjb2124

I know the "EA is the Devil"

I could have sworn i heard someone say that on tv lol

[Pared]

Quote: Originally Posted by pietasterp

Oops, I stand corrected - you are correct, Pared. Actually, that was a great example of what EA can do if they really felt like their $$$ flow was threatened - MVP was a great re-haul of a tired Triple Play engine. Good lookin' out, Pared. BTW, love your avatar - Ari Gold is the greatest television character since Homer Simpson. I always use that line, "let's hug it out", and no one ever gets it...

I'm so quick to point it out because I felt the same way you did when you made that statement: EA will never change or scrap anything. I admittedly stand corrected. What's a real shame is how successful they were... only to have the game "killed" 3 years later.

And yeah, the "hug it out, *****" thing isn't something everyone gets... but those that do will always let out a little chuckle.

As for those arguing over whose fault it was about the exclusivity deal... at this point, who cares? 2k football is officially back!